The storm system set to impact the Northeast will make its impact felt in the Southeast Wednesday and Thursday. An historic ice storm/winter storm is set to take shape and impact areas of the Atlanta metro, hard hit by the January 28th storm.

To quote National Weather Service in Atlanta:

HAVE GONE WITH THE MORE DIRE PREDICTIONS OF A HALF AND INCHOF ICE TO CLOSE TO AN INCH FOR EAST CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE STATE.BIGGEST CHANGE PERHAPS IS THE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WITH NOW 4 TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER WITH 10 INCHES TO PERHAPS A FOOT POSSIBLE IN THE NE MOUNTAINS. WE ALSO INCREASE THE TOTALS FOR THE NORTH ATLANTA METRO WITH AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS COMBINATION OF OVER A QUARTER INCH OF ICE AND 2 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW.

Ice accumulation on top of snow of this magnitude will almost certainly lead to widespread power outages from downed tree limbs and power lines, as well as deadly travel conditions. The governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal, wisely declared a state of emergency and shut down non-essential services across the state.

The areas of greatest impact for icing will lie along the I-20 corridor east of Atlanta, curving into central South Carolina, although ice storm warnings have not been posted yet in some areas of South Carolina. If you are living in this area, avoid any unnecessary travel, and make any necessary preparations immediately.